ISLAMABAD: Judicial Magistrate Shahzad Ahmed on Saturday dismissed the acquittal plea of Usman Ali, a co-accused in two protestrelated cases involving PTI workers, after no defence counsel appeared on behalf of the party.

Despite repeated summons, no lawyer from PTI showed up during the court proceedings. As a result, the magistrate appointed Advocate Kifayatullah as state counseltorepresentthe accused in both cases registered at the Ramna police station under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act over the Nov 26 protests.

The state-appointed lawyer completed the cross-examination of six prosecution witnesses. The court noted thatin the event a lawyer appears but fails to conduct a crossexamination, the proceedings would continue without delay.

The court also heard arguments from Special Public Prosecutor Mohammad Usman Rana, who stated that a recovery had been made from Usman Ali and his identification parade conducted, identifying the accused.

He urged the court to dismiss the acquittal application.

After hearing the arguments, the court rejected Usman Ali`s application for acquittal and ordered his cross-examination to be conducted during the next hearing.

The court adjourned the hearing of both cases until June 2 when the investigation officer and an assistant commissioner are expected to be cross-examined.